Indian UN worker Col Kale sacrificed his life for peace in Gaza
Col Kale, a 46-year-old Indian national from Maharashtra, had recently joined the United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) in Gaza before tragically losing his life in an attack. This was his first deployment in the region, where he had hoped to make a difference in a time of crisis.
“He signed up to work in support of people who desperately need help; in the most dangerous place, at a time of unimaginable crisis. This speaks volumes about his character,” said Gilles Michaud, the Under-Secretary-General for Safety and Security.
Kale had served in the Indian army for 22 years before opting for early retirement and working in a private firm. Unsatisfied with a desk job, he decided to join the UNDSS in April, showing his dedication to serving others in need.
“He had nothing to do with Hamas or Israel or this war. But he has sacrificed his life for peace. Now, peace must be restored in Gaza,” said Kale’s cousin Chinmay Kale.
The Indian mission to the UN in New York expressed their deepest condolences to Col Kale’s family, while UN Secretary-General António Guterres mourned the loss of the dedicated worker. Kale’s death adds to the tragic toll of over 190 UN staff members killed in Gaza since the conflict began.
In a separate incident, six international aid workers and a Palestinian colleague from World Central Kitchen were also killed in an Israeli strike, prompting international outrage. The IDF took action by dismissing two senior officers over what they described as a “grave accident.”
The ongoing military campaign in Gaza, launched by Israel in response to Hamas’ cross-border attack, has resulted in a devastating loss of life. More than 35,090 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict began, according to the territory’s health ministry.
Col Kale’s sacrifice serves as a reminder of the dedicated individuals working towards peace in the midst of conflict, and his legacy will be remembered by those who knew him.
